Groundbed

A groundbed is an array of electrodes, installed in the ground to provide a low resistance electrical path to ground or earth. A groundbed is a component in an earthing system.

Each electrode is called a ground rod or a earth electrode.

Grounding systems

For building electrical grounding systems or earthing systems there is a low resistance conductor bonding the metalwork and this is connected to a groundbed. The electrodes for electrical grounding are often called ground rods and are often made from steel with a copper clad surface – typically 1 to 2m long and 20 millimetres (0.79 in) in diameter. These are driven vertically into the ground and bonded together with bare copper wire.[1]

Soil conditioning

Various materials may be placed around the ground rod to improve conductivity. These include: [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Cathodic protection

In cathodic protection, the anode groundbed is the arrangement of anodes in the ground or water and it provides the path for protective current to leave the anodes and enter to electrolyte.[7]

References

  1. Electrical Engineer's Reference Book, Sixteenth edition by M. A. Laughton CEng., FIEE and D. J. Warne CEng., FIEE, Newnes, 2003, ISBN 0 7506 46373
  2. http://www.keison.co.uk/furse/earth_soil_conditioning_agents.htm
  3. http://ecmweb.com/content/achieving-acceptable-ground-poor-soil
  4. http://www.lightningprotection.com/pdfs/resources/knowledge-transfer/technical-papers/principles-of-grounding-design.pdf
  5. http://www.marconite.co.uk/
  6. W.R. Jones, Bentonite Rods Assure Ground Rod Installation In Problem Soils, 1980, DOI: 10.1109/TPAS.1980.319556
  7. NACE/ASTM G193 – 10a Standard Terminology and Acronyms Relating to Corrosion 2010
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